How To Choose A Major

Starting college is a time full of decisions and choices. Choosing your major doesn't have to be the hardest one.

It is OK to arrive on campus and not have a "set in stone" idea of your career path. College is a learning and growing experience.Your interests and abilities change and grow during the university years. Studies show that students change their major at least once during their college experience because of this very fact.

Choosing a major is a step by step process that takes time and thought to do correctly. Some students have a firm idea of what they want to do in their future careers but most don't. Even those with a good idea of what they want to do may change their minds at least once. Start with a clean slate. College is a new and rewarding experience different than any other. Forget about the subjects you despised in high school; you could love the fresh take on it you get from a university perspective. Take the process slowly and give it a lot of thought but don't stress. It will come to you. Before you know it, you'll form a clear picture of the person you want to be after graduation and the curriculum you need to get there.

The first and easiest step in considering your major is to determine your interests, abilities and talents. Consider this question: How much motivation is there to learn more about the subject? What we are really talking about here is a total self evaluation, a journey of self discovery. Put some deep thinking into this. Imagine yourself twenty, thirty, forty years down the road. Can you even fathom yourself doing this line of work for that long? Remember also that there are many vocations and career choices evolving from the same major. An interesting thing to do at this stage is to think of your dream job, something that you would absolutely love to be doing and then investigate what majors it would take to achieve. Also take in to considerations the things you are really good at. Did you excel at any particular extracurricular activities in high school? Did you always gravitate toward the same type of summer job because you rock at it? How can this tie in to what your interested in learning more about?

The next step in finding the perfect major is to determine which careers in today's society fit easily into your own personal ethics and values. Consider this question: Who are the people that you really respect and admire the most in today's society? Is your own doctor a personal hero of yours? Do you have a high regard for your junior high principle? Do you aspire to be like your next door neighbor, the city councilwoman? Take into account why you admire these people and if you harbor a desire to make similar changes in your own community or in the whole world.

Consider also what things you value in work. Do you want a job with stability or would you prefer excitement? Would a pension be something you could not live without? Is travel out of the question or a must-have? Do you have a desire to work alone or would you prefer to be in groups? Investigate career choices that interest you and find a match with your own preferences for work environment.

Another important step to consider is the financial aspect. Do you have the time to stay in school for many years? What type of federal aid is available for a four or five year programs? What about a dual degree? Is Graduate school an option? Or do you need to get to work as soon as possible?

The last step to consider is the hardest. It's called big, fat reality check and it can be a heartbreaker. If you love trees, bees and critters but break out in hives within twenty feet of poison oak and have year round allergies, then a career as a botanist may not be for you regardless of your passion. You may have a deep and solid need to find a cure for cancer but if it took you three tries to pass each chemistry class, a career in science may not be realistic.

Stick to options in which you have an equaled interest an talent. As you travel along on this journey of self discovery to the perfect major talk with your counselors, advisors, parents and peers. Their input can be invaluable. Above all, don't stress. You have plenty of time to decide and every major has many career options.

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